Astros: 3 under-the-radar prospects to keep an eye on at mini-camp

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Some Astros prospects have made their way to West Palm Beach, but which names could be flying under-the-radar?

The Major League Baseball lockout has delayed the start of spring training for the 2022 season, and as we sound like a broken record, minor-league players are not affected at the moment.

The Minor League Baseball season can move forward without a major-league Collective Bargaining Agreement, as Houston Astros‘ farmhands start to arrive in West Palm Beach, Florida, this week.

No 40-man rostered prospects can attend though, which leaves out Jeremy Peña, Forrest Whitley and others.

Minor-league pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report on Feb. 28 with position players to follow on March 5. The regular MiLB season doesn’t start until early April, a few days following the scheduled start of the MLB season.

Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reported a group of prospects that will be present for Minor League mini-camp, which leads into minor-league spring training.

Top prospects catcher Korey Lee, outfielders Tyler Whitaker, Pedro Leon and Colin Barber and right-hander Alex Santos are already present. One name that was not included was right-handed pitcher Hunter Brown, who turned heads last year with his strikeout numbers.

McTaggart highlighted other prospects that will be present including minor-league signee Edwin Diaz, who has an invite to major-league spring training.

While providing insight from assistant general manager for player development Pete Putila, McTaggart noted that major-league personnel is present as well.

Houston Astros, Corey Julks
Houston Astros, Corey Julks /

Corey Julks is picking up reps at a new position this March.

According to McTaggart, Julks is taking reps at third base in mini-camp, a position he has one full game at in the Minor Leagues. The regular outfielder will work both positions this spring, as versatility could be high on his list.

There is jam of outfielders near the top of the system, and for Julks, who is now 25-years-old, versatility will help him advance in the system. The Triple-A level ran thin for infield options following the 2021 season, hence the addition of Diaz.

“Julks is hoping to add that tool to his tool box,” minor league field coordinator Jason Bell told Climbing Tal’s Hill. “He has been playing a good outfield but would help his career to also play third base, as well as helping the organization overall.”

Julks found a new stroke of power in Double-A for 2021, bumping his OPS up to .840.

The right-hander did take a stay on the injured and development lists but didn’t see a promotion to Triple-A, even with his offensive success. This could have been in-part to the promotions of outfielders like Leon, Norel Gonzalez and Marty Costes.

With another position under his belt, Julks is bolstering his chance of promotion.

(Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
(Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

While acquired right before the lockout, the Astros could have high hopes for Logan Cerny.

Cerny was on the Astros’ return for catcher Garrett Stubbs to the Philadelphia Phillies, before the Rule 5 Draft that affected the ability to change the 40-man roster. Cerny, a 10th round selection, was taken three picks before the Astros.

The Astros took a different collegiate outfielder in Michael Sandle, who will also be at mini-camp.

For Cerny, Houston might have had interest in him before the 2021 MLB Draft, while he didn’t face any of the affiliates in the Florida Coast League nor Low-A. The right-hander ranks No. 28 by MLB Pipeline for the Astros with a 70-grade run.

(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Although not highly known around the baseball word, Edwin Diaz could be a similar project to Jose Siri.

Diaz, not the one that attempts to close for the New York Mets, has been assigned to the Oakland A’s in his career but has never made it to the major leagues. He embarks on a new minor-league career with Houston, off the 40-man roster.

His signing went unreported by beat writers, as Climbing Tal’s Hill stumbled upon it on Baseball America’s transaction page last month. The signing wasn’t system changing for Houston, in part to Diaz’s offensive struggles as of late.

In 41 Double-A games in 2021, the 26-year-old was average, slashing .243/.319/.438. Diaz has strokes of power, but offensive consistency doesn’t look to be an attribute in recent seasons.

Diaz’s glove is what interested the Astros.

“Diaz is great,” Bell said. “He has incredible hands defensively and gives us some more options amongst the infield position.”

The Sugar Land Space Cowboys saw the departures of infielders Jacob Wilson, who was also a former Athletic, Robel Garcia, Miguelangel Sierra and others following the end of the 2021 season, so Diaz’s addition could be adding that depth lost.

This is similar to claiming Robel Garcia from the Los Angeles Angels last spring or signing Siri, who was also on his last leg, to round out the outfield at the Triple-A level.

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